The Fraser Valley Metropolitan Recreation District Board election is set for Tuesday, May 8th at the Grand Park Recreation Center. 5 candidates are vying for 3 open seats that will serve four year terms. The Winter Park Times reached out to the candidates and asked them the following six questions. The polls will be open from 7 am – 7 pm on Tuesday, May 8th.

David McKnight

What motivates you to want to become a FVMRD board member?  I’ve been on the FVMRD for the last four years and have enjoyed contributing my time, knowledge and experience to help the Rec district continue to be the best it can be.

Do you or your family members utilize FVMRD facilities or participate in FVMRD programs or activities? If so what and why? I use the Rec center weekly. My kids learned to swim here and participated on the swim team. They learned to play soccer, baseball and lacrosse thru the district programs and on the sport complex fields. My mom, Holly, uses the Rec center most days. After I became a board member four years ago I joined my first hockey team at the age of 44 to see what all the excitement was about and fell in love with the sport. Currently I sponsor 2 hockey teams. I have also played softball on and off for 15 years in our Rec league and continue to sponsor a team. I love to play golf at Pole Creek as often as a busy schedule allows. I seem to get a few more rounds in towards the end of summer before the eminent snow fall.

What particular skills or experience qualify you to serve as a FVMRD board member?  Besides being an active board member of the district for the last 4 years, I’ve been on several boards in my life starting with youth groups in high school, and several boards throughout my years in college from academic to social clubs. Over the last 20+ years as a resident in the FVMRD I have built three successful businesses that are all thriving. Because of my awesome employees/associates and obviously, my AMAZING wife and CFO, Maura, I am afforded the time to participate on the board.

What do you see as the biggest issues facing the FVMRD? One of the biggest challenges for the district will be the loss of tax dollars from the adjustment to the residential taxes as required by the Gallagher Amendment. The Board and the District managers will need to be diligent in making decisions as we move forward with additions and improvements to our facilities. The other issue, of course, is the lack of affordable housing for our wonderful staff. It is a constant battle to keep great people employed at our facilities due to this issue.

What would you like to see the FVMRD improve upon in the future? Over the last 2 years FVMRD completed its updated Master Plan with the help of community members and our staff. I believe our improvement for the future will come in the form of fulfilling the needs and desires of the district members and guests in our area as they are addressed in the new Master Plan.

Why would you be a good choice for the FVMRD Board? During my term as a board member of the FVMRD, we have accomplished many things. We finished phase one of the new playground at the Fraser Sports complex. A big chunk of the debt service was refinanced saving our tax payers over a million dollars. The chiller tube project is in full swing and over $700k has been raised. We began and continue to pave cart paths at our golf course every year. It would be my honor and privilege to continue to serve the community and Rec district as a board member. Please vote! Please vote for me if you think I would continue as an asset to the district. But none the less… Please Vote!

Kelley Glancey MD

What motivates you to want to become a FVMRD board member?  Having lived in the valley for the past 10 years I have seen tremendous positive growth for the FVMRD and would like to continue to support this.  I hope to continue the solid work done by previous boards to support and grow programming and facilities.

Do you or your family members utilize FVMRD facilities or participate in FVMRD programs or activities? If so what and why? Our entire family, 8 years old twins and my parents included utilize the facilities and programs.  I use the Rec Center many days a week for work outs and personal training along with my husband. Our kids love to swim there as well.  During mud season when we can’t be outside skiing or riding our bikes it’s a great place to keep in shape for all the outdoor activities we like to participate in.  Our kids participate in many rec center programs including Friday field-trips, summer camp programs, gymnastics, swimming, theater camps and lego camps to name a few.  This allows us a safe place for them to be after school and in the summer while we are working. They love to have all the different options offered. Our kids also participate in hockey, lacrosse and soccer on FVRMD fields.  The growth of these programs has wonderful for them and wouldn’t be possible without the FVMRD. We all, including my parents, play golf at Pole Creek in the summer because it is one of the most beautiful places to play.

What particular skills or experience qualify you to serve as a FVMRD board member?  I have previously been on and served as President of the Fraser Creative Learning Center.  During this time I learned a lot about managing the budget as well as interacting with the Executive Director to successfully run the preschool.  I also run my own medical office. I am passionate about health and wellness.

What do you see as the biggest issues facing the FVMRD?  There is a significant amount of growth in the Fraser Valley.  The FVMRD will need to continue to keep pace with this growth to provide programs and services in a way that is fiscally responsible.

What would you like to see the FVMRD improve upon in the future? I would like the FVMRD to continue to offer a variety of programs that cater to everyone in and affordable manner.  I would like to see continued support and growth of our current facilities.

Why would you be a good choice for the FVMRD Board? I love living and working in Grand County.  Serving on the FVMRD board would allow me to give back to this incredible community in a way that supports health and wellness.  

Lisa Steckler

What motivates you to want to become a FVMRD board member? The Recreation District is an essential component to our community and its residents and guests.  As an active member of this community and being raised here I see the ongoing potential of the district to become even bigger better and stronger.  

Do you or your family members utilize FVMRD facilities or participate in FVMRD programs or activities? If so what and why? Yes, we try to utilize the facilities as often as we can and plan to raise our family in the programs as well.  Currently we spend most of the winter at The Icebox, my husband Luke coaches the kids and spends countless hours skating at the rink.  In the summer we always look forward to the recreational softball leagues and our time at Pole Creek.

What particular skills or experience qualify you to serve as a FVMRD board member? My commitment to seeing this community succeed and grow!  I grew up here and have decided to make this our home and am committed to keeping this a great place to live.  I spend lots of time with new residents that are moving here full time and ones that are making this district their home away from home so understand the needs FVMRD needs to fulfill.  I also have experience in development projects and seeing them through from the planning stages to completion.

What do you see as the biggest issues facing the FVMRD? We need to be taking proactive steps in making sure the district has the facilities and programs in place to cover the needs of our growing community.  The management at the rec facilities have done an amazing job and we need to support them as we grow. Implementing strategic ideas and maximizing opportunities available to the district all while maintaining the fiscal responsibility and the FVMRD’s overall mission of providing recreation experiences to our residents and guests through innovative, quality programs and facilities that promote health and wellness.

What would you like to see the FVMRD improve upon in the future? Being the best it can be and then striving to be even better!  

Why would you be a good choice for the FVMRD Board? I can bring fresh ideas and insight on potential growth opportunities and help facilitate those ideas to fruition.  We can’t underestimate the potential of the FVMRD and we are at a pivotal turning point to get things accomplished and I’m motivated to help make that happen.  

Al White

What motivates you to want to become a FVMRD board member? I retired a couple of years ago from 15 years of positions in public service.  I have the time and desire to continue to involve myself and my talents in the public sector. The open board position at FVMRD is a great opportunity to fulfill that purpose.

Do you or your family members utilize FVMRD facilities or participate in FVMRD programs or activities? If so what and why? My son and daughter in law participate in the summer softball league and also use the Rec center on occasion.

What particular skills or experience qualify you to serve as a FVMRD board member? I was on the board in the late ’90’s. The district and community were much different then.  We had just added the nine hole Ridge Course (to some local grumbling despite the fact it was paid for by the Pole Creek property developer) at Pole Creek and were building dugouts at the recently completed ball fields.  Growing the resources and assets of the district back then was difficult due to the different factions that existed within the community; golf vs softball, etc. Anyway, the district and community are much different today.  The community divisiveness has turned into fairly unified support for all facets of the district. In short, FVMRD is in a great place from both a financial and community support perspective. My historical knowledge should be a useful asset as a board member.  Also 15 years of service as a policy maker at the state level has given me useful experience and a great network to call on on behalf of the district when needs and issues arise.

What do you see as the biggest issues facing the FVMRD? As I mentioned above, I believe the district is in great shape.  As a board member I want to continue to shepherd the District along the path it has been on and help to attain the strategic goals the current board has established.

What would you like to see the FVMRD improve upon in the future? Continuing to maintain and support the tv translator/repeater that enables us in the valley to get Denver tv through an antenna is an important challenge that we need to succeed with. This amenity the district provides is important to many district members and is available to them at no charge and must be continued.

Why would you be a good choice for the FVMRD Board? Years of experience in public policy at the state and local level have given me valuable insights and experiences that will serve me well as a board member.

David Corbin

What motivates you to want to become a FVMRD board member? I want to help support my community by getting involved in what I see as invaluable resources for all of our residents and guests

Do you or your family members utilize FVMRD facilities or participate in FVMRD programs or activities? If so what and why? We have used the FVMRD since moving here 24 years ago- my son was involved in most programs offered by the rec district and still uses the rec center on occasion- I myself try and stick to 3 days a week for working out- although I would not say that I am a golfer, I do enjoy hitting the balls around Pole Creek.

What particular skills or experience qualify you to serve as a FVMRD board member? I have 40 plus years of business experience that can help the district grow and be more profitable.

What do you see as the biggest issues facing the FVMRD? Maintaining the quality of the rec center as it gets older. Seeing Pole Creek maintain and grow as golfer numbers start to decline. Keep it in the black!

What would you like to see the FVMRD improve upon in the future? Marketing towards the tourists both winter and summer- by increasing our visitor numbers, we can ensure that our local driven programs will be kept healthy.

Why would you be a good choice for the FVMRD Board? In business I have always been successful -Transferring that success into FVMRD will be a natural -I will bring fresh ideas and challenges to all of FVMRD based on my observational business skills.